News article

26 February 2019

Scottish Primary Schools - create a new dish for your school meal

Scottish Primary schools are challenged to create an innovative, healthy dish
- using Scottish
produce - for their school meal.

The 2019 Braw Lunch-Brake
Challenge launched today (26 February) – it is
open to
primary 5, 6
and 7 pupils from across Scotland. Finalists will take part in a cook-off at
the
City of Glasgow College
and pitch their product ideas including marketing plans to a team of 'Dragons'.
The prize for the final
winners is an all expenses trip to the Royal Highland Show for their entire
class.

This challenge is a partnership between Food and Drink Federation (FDF)
Scotland, Brakes
Scotland, ASSIST Facilities Management, Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET),
Skills
Development Scotland and Developing Young Workforce. It tests the pupils'
creative and
entrepreneurial skills. At the same time pupils learn about all the processes
and skills needed to get
food from farm to fork and the range of careers on offer in the food and drink
industry.

Chris Boyle, Head of Public Sector, Brakes Scotland, said:

"Brakes Scotland with FDF Scotland and partners set up this challenge 4 years
ago to get
children involved in hands-on cooking. It's a life skill and we know many
children are not getting these
basic skills due to equipment struggles at school. This challenge allows
teachers to have a 'gate to
plate' lesson plan and have some fun with food and potentially spark some
interest in children
considering careers in food and drink but ultimately, understanding healthy
food
choices.”

Moira Stalker, Skills Manager, FDF Scotland, said:

“We are delighted to be running this challenge again. Every year I am
inspired
by the
enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the pupils. I would encourage teachers
to
get your school
involved in this exciting competition.”

Keith Breasley, National Chair, ASSIST Facilities Management, said:

“The best way to improve a child's diet is to get them involved and
interested
in food - this
competition does just that. Thank you Brakes!”

Katrina Barclay, RHET Manager said:

“We are delighted to be involved in this collaboration and recognise the
value
in
encouraging school pupils to visit a working farm to find out for themselves
about local, seasonal,
fresh produce they could incorporate into their dish. Winning a trip to the
Scotland's premier
agricultural event where the best of food, farming and rural life is showcased
will bring this project to
life.”

Note to Editors:

Initial dish ideas from each team/school need to be submitted by 10 May, with
the final cook-
off taking place on 6 June. More information
»

The whole food and drink industry from agriculture, fishing, aquaculture through
to
manufacturing makes a significant contribution to the economy, with an annual
turnover of over
£14bn and employing around 114,000 people.

FDF
Scotland is the voice of the Scottish food and drink manufacturing industry
–
Scotland's
largest
manufacturing sector.

FDF Scotland's skills initiative - A Future in Food, funded by the Scottish Government through Scotland Food
& Drink,
helps teachers, pupils and parents better understand the food and drink
industry
in Scotland. It
highlights the wide variety of careers on offer, helps pupils understand the
skills required by
employers and how the subjects they study in school relate to the real world of
work.